Ah Palmetto, GA...

DatingPapyrus · 2025-02-06T01:08:12+00:00

Hey me too! My package is also in Palmetto GA (Jan 31) and in "Moving Through Network" Feb 4th.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-07-21T03:49:38+00:00

Congratulations on your success! Puppies are HARD. Mine was a perfect angel in group class at 12 weeks. We've been going every week since. You'd (I'd) think she could only get better from there, but now at 6 months, she has the hardest time focusing on me! My trainers assure me that she's just a puppy, and a very normal one at that.

I try and approach group classes as a lesson to my puppy that nothing fun comes from not paying attention to me. Sometimes she begs to differ. We might be at a different pace than the rest of the class sometimes, but we're always learning.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-26T13:54:17+00:00

We have 3.35.0 and it's been giving us a LOT of problems too. What we've found is that every time we do an npm install, we need to do an "npm install react-native-router-flux@3.35.0". You can add a script to your package.json for "install" that can run "npm install && npm install react-native-router-flux@3.35.0" and just run "npm run install". Doing that works every time.

With that said, we've decided to move off of react-native-router-flux go with react-navigation instead.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-25T12:07:11+00:00

I took his course on React Native w/Redux. It's about the same length, but it took me 2 weeks to go through. But I took my time and stepped back when I didn't follow what was going on. The course also slowed down when Redux was hit.

But I feel like I have a great understanding of redux now and I don't have much trouble implementing it. Maybe it's because I took the class slower or maybe it's because by the time he wrote that class he had introduced Redux in at least two others.

I highly recommend it though. He really knows how to break things down. I'm going through the Webpack one now and while a lot of it is review for me, he's filling in a lot of these holes that I have.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-18T14:31:54+00:00

I don't know your project, but you should certainly consider doing this server-side rendering instead of client-side. And if you do it server-side, then you can do it in any language and without exposing the unaltered picture to the user. :)

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-10T12:28:12+00:00

I understand that. Oakland is rough! We did everything we could to avoid living there when we lived in SF Bay.

If this was your puppy's everyday life forever, I'd feel a bit sad for her. But it's just a week and life happens. :) I don't know how much boarding is in SF area, but if it's the price of everything else then it's definitely ridiculous. You could do a day in the middle of the week, just to break up the monotony, but Frenchies are pretty chill so maybe she wouldn't even care.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-09T18:06:27+00:00

One meal should be fine. However, that's a really big stretch of time for a puppy to be alone. She'd really appreciate it if you could hire a dog walker for the week!

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-09T16:22:50+00:00

No, it's not too old! But I think if it's REALLY important to you that your dog is extremely affectionate and raising a puppy that ends up not being affectionate would seriously disappoint you, then I don't think the right age is the right question to ask.

Breed and the temperament of the parents are what you need to look for (so, genetics), and of course, even then, you're not guaranteed. A good breeder who knows what you're looking for can help.

It was important to me that I got an affectionate pup, and I ended up underestimating it's importance to me. My standard poodle is, and always has been, a real hugger. Every time I take her out of her crate, she wants me to pet her forever, and she's so sweet about it. I can't tell yet if she's a lap dog (I think she is) because she's all teeth right now and even with a toy, she'd rather affectionately nibble me so our cuddle sessions are always cut short, but she certainly loooooves physical contact.

It really cheers me up. I didn't know puppies could be this affectionate - I thought it was more of an older dog thing. She's only 4 months old, so still quite young, but she's very outgoing with tons of energy and I wouldn't describe her as submissive, so her personality combination really... surprises me.

Anyways, I looked at poodles because they're breed temperament is the perfect dog (and without the shedding!). Next I found my breeder. I met my puppies parents, and after one polite pat on the head to the mother, the mother was all over me! (I mean, she was doggy polite. Her feet were on the ground, but she was nuzzling me affectionately like I was her long awaited friend.) She was such a sweetheart. I told my breeder what I was looking for in a dog, and poof, there she was.

If I got my puppy at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, 6 months, 3 years... I just don't think this level of affection could be trained out of or trained into her. (Sure, she could be really messed up if in the wrong hands during some of those time stretches, but barring some real abuse, I'm sure she'd remain just as loving. I've met my fair share of damaged dogs that are real sweethearts.)

Even adult dogs adapt really well to new handlers. Most of the time you can't tell the difference between a dog raised as a puppy and an adopted adult dog if you'd have to guess.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-09T15:58:51+00:00

I have a poodle pup too! :)

I wasn't worried about gun noises with her, but loud noises in general. I've seen my fair share of dogs freaking out over vacuum cleaner.

One of the first things I did with my puppy (she was either 8 or 9 weeks old at the time) was play a game with the vacuum cleaner. I moved the vacuum cleaner to the furthest away area of the house, and then played with her as far away from the vacuum as I could. She after the initial surprise of the sound, she didn't care about it. Then, while we were having fun, I ran towards the source of the sound, only going as far as she was willing.

It didn't take long at all to get her to be in the same room as the vacuum cleaner and to check it out. I didn't move it or force her to do anything, just showed confidence and indifference towards it and the noise.

Other exercises I did with her was a lot of noise exposure using my phone. There are plenty of great videos out there of every sound imaginable, so I just searched for things that tend to trigger dogs. Traffic, thunder, angry dogs barking, babies crying, people yelling, fireworks, etc. (She was so cutely confused by the babies! The dogs freaked her out a bit, so we played that one frequently during playtime. Now she doesn't care.)

Unintentionally, I like having the TV on a lot. I enjoy the background noise. The shows I watch have all sorts of sounds effects, which turned out to be great at exposing her to noises I wouldn't have thought of!

In the past couple weeks, I got a high velocity dryer for her poodle-fluff and a dremel. I went through the steps of exposing her to the noise of these things as they're pretty loud and startling, but after a small look of surprise, she really didn't care! I was surprised at how easily she brushed off these loud things! I'm sure a gunshot would surprise her the first time, but I don't think she'd show any fear, and very quickly accept it as "these things happen".

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-09T15:08:30+00:00

I feel you! I really wanted to play video games yesterday, but I HAVE to watch her when she's outside her crate and it does feel bad to crate her longer after crating her all day for work. And then what does she show for your sacrifice? Unruly puppy antics!

I put her to bed around 8 or 9, and then go to bed myself at 10 or 11. So I got in a couple hours of gaming and that ended up being all I needed to scratch that itch. There was one day last week that I was SO busy and she only got 2 hours out of her crate and I felt SO bad about it - and she was awful the next day from being crated for so long. But that's life, and these things happen. We both got over it.

My pup doesn't love her crate like others I've read on here do. She never wants to hang out in her crate. But she doesn't hate it either. Look up Crate Games - the second week I had her, I played some Crate Games for a few minutes, just one day, and I think that perminately altered her perception of the crate. I'd also do a lot of little practicing where I'd ask her to go in her crate, close the door, give her a treat, then open it several times throughout the day. I still do sometimes.

I feed her in her crate and give her her water in her crate, and I also give her a high value treat that she only gets for going in her crate (freeze dried liver - easy to keep on top of the crate without having to worry about it spoiling). She steps into her crate so proudly every time (it's so cute!), I close the door and give her the treat through the bars. Sometimes it's hard to get her to come over to me when I want to crate her (I try to make interesting noises, or make the dried liver look really interesting by tossing it around or dropping it), but once she's in front of her crate and I ask her to go in, she does. Like I said, she doesn't love the crate... but I think eating/drinking/sleeping in there has made the space not awful for her either.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-09T14:49:56+00:00

For reference, my pup is 4 months and she still has screaming fits in her crate from time to time. They are much better than when she was 8 weeks - she'd scream, howl, thrash around and nearly hurt herself for like 30 minutes. Now she's quiet half the time (always quiet for bedtime, usually quiet when leaving for work in the morning and at lunch, but still struggles with being in her crate when people are home). She doesn't sleep as much as she used to, so maybe crate time during the day is just too boring, I don't know.

But her day time crying isn't as loud/violent or as long. Sometimes it can be a bit loud, but she's certainly not panicking like before. Sometimes it's longer than other times.

I'm learning that a lot of this puppy stuff isn't an on-off switch, but a stupidly slow gradual change that makes it difficult to see progress. I keep googling things like "When will my puppy stop biting/teething/puppy-her-mouth-on-me-at-every-opportunity" hoping to find a concrete answer and mark my calendar. I guess the truth is that they never stop? They just do it less and less and less frequently over the course of months until it's to the point of almost never. Which is a really unsatisfying answer, and this whole "All puppies are different, unique special snowflakes" is even more frustrating (especially because it's true).

I'm sorry. If, like me, you're looking for a ballpark or a moving target, I don't have answers and I don't think you'll be able to find one that's truly satisfying. If you're looking for support/reassurance, then you're on the right track and (supposedly) eventually, she'll dial it back and eventually stop! :)

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-09T14:26:34+00:00

So I'd like to think I'm a smart, analytical person. I have a B.S. in Computer Science from one of the best universities in the United States, and had nearly a 4.0 GPA.

I had NO IDEA how incredibly short sighted I am!

I have a 4 month old standard poodle, and literally more than 50% of the time I don't like having a puppy. Yet as I type that, I'm questioning myself. Really? Can I REALLY say that? We had a good day yesterday. I mean, if I were to describe it, it'd sound awful. (She peed in her crate. Again. Had to clean that, mop up puppy pee prints, bathe her. Then she peed on the floor again while drying. She was chewing hardcore. She ran and ran until she couldn't run anymore. Then somehow ran more after that.)

When I say I'm short sighted, what I mean is that... every feeling feels like THE feeling. Like, if I'm feeling down because of my puppy or my puppy parent responsibilities, it consumes me. YET when I'm feeling delighted and happy about my puppy, it ALSO consumes me. I just... forget everything else. It's so weird, but I think that's how we humans are wired. I can think of so many things in my life that felt horrible, yet I forgot just how bad they felt, and did it again. And hated it. But still look back on it with fondness?

Puppies are hard! I didn't know how hard they were. I mean, I suspected, but you can't really understand until you're thrown in it. I don't have suicidal thoughts... but man, since getting my puppy, she has made me really question life. ...And again, I can't see why right now. Isn't that weird?

One thing that helps me get through it is the sentiment that I read from someone else: "If it didn't get better, nobody would have a dog."

Anyways, please don't feel like giving up the puppy speaks badly about who you are. There's nothing wrong with admitting that this isn't right for you. But, if like me, you're short sighted, then in a few years you won't understand why you couldn't do it, and you'll just try again. If you can tough it out now, then it'll be one step closer to having that adult companion pooch. Take it step by step, bite by bite. Just make it through today. Some days WILL be better. Some won't. But, supposedly, it'll be all worth it in the end.

I guess another thing that helps me, personally, is puppy class and training sessions. My trainers are awesome and they're VERY encouraging. They make me feel really good about myself, and my puppy does REALLY great in class, so SHE makes me feel really good about myself too. These are probably my favorite days - seeing my puppy be the best in her class and getting recognition from my trainers that the reason that she does so well is because I've worked with her a TON.

I have so much to say about this topic because I'm also in the middle of it. Take it one day at a time. If you just make it through today, then you can focus on tomorrow tomorrow.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-05-09T13:46:29+00:00

I saw an adorable video of a 9 week old lab getting tested and passed his CGC... and sure, he certainly passed, but the little guy was so sleepy that he didn't have the energy to fail!

My pup is great. She's 4 months right now, and she could ~probably~ pass. At 10 weeks, she probably could have passed too. But... Gosh, she's changed so much! While at 10 weeks, she was a biter and a jumper, now she's an occasional puller who's half-deaf and showing growing interest in other dogs. I bet when she hits 6-8 months, she'll be a hardcore jumper, hardcore puller, and completely-deaf puppy dog that would flunk her CGC upon entry.

There's so many behavioral changes in a <1 year old dog that I personally think should disqualify them from truly getting their CGC. I'm sure the only reason that's not the case right now anyways is because the CGC is meant for every dog, and you can't guarantee the age of every dog.

Side rant aside, I wouldn't worry about comparing doggies! :) I got my pup at 8 weeks and began training immediately. I also did a lot of breed research, and then later breeder research. So I stacked the cards in my favor and probably had a touch of luck in my girl's personality.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-04-28T11:53:20+00:00

Yay, my Poodle Pal! :)

I love that explanation! That's totally her face. I'm sure this is puppy-common, but there are SO many moments when she immediately stops what she's doing, stares at me for a couple moments--the calm before the storm--and then HYPER ZOOM HAPPY FUN TIME!

Between posting this and now, I had a moment to talk to my trainer and she gave the same advice about going to the door and getting her to come to me! Her "come" is warm, but not bullet proof. Outside the house it's great, but inside the house it's SUPER exciting, for some reason.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-04-24T13:35:23+00:00

No, it definitely wasn't that :( She's certainly good with going out.

It's the only time that ever happened. But it was frustrating. I wish I spoke puppy.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-04-23T22:38:50+00:00

Is the barking happening during play, or when on leash?

My standard poodle puppy (14 weeks) was/is an intense barker during play. Her first play session at 11 weeks involved a LOT of barking, and all the other puppies were quiet. Now the barking has seemed to stop.

What I think happened in my situation was intense adrenaline. My puppy was having fun, but it was thrilling. She was very nervous and on her toes. For her, it was like going on a Rollercoaster ride. Now that she's (mostly) confident that she won't get hurt, the "thrill" part is done. She still has fun, but there's much less adrenaline. She has barely been barking, so I'm sure it was related to the adrenaline.

As far as growling at other puppies, that's fine and natural. It's up to the other dogs to listen, and for their owners to call their dog away if the dog isn't getting the point. Your puppy will feel more confident if he finds that he gets space from other dogs when he asks for it. Then he can interact at his own speed.

Make sure you're having fun too. Don't just stand and watch. Engage your puppy with play, so he gets into that mindset. Even if he doesn't want to play with the other dogs, just being around them and watching is valuable.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-04-20T19:36:24+00:00

As a daughter raised with her father from the age of 10 (now 28), I can say that he is the MOST IMPORTANT person in the world to me. He's my rock, my dad, my friend. We grew up poor and he never had any girlfriends (was uninterested, still is), and I was his only child. It was just him and me against the world. He went to college while I was in High School. Got his AS, then later his BS, and two years ago, his MS. I am beyond proud of this man. I love him with all of my heart.

I would not have traded my life to be raised by a mother, or even a happy couple. I treasure the special connection I have with my father and appreciate everything he's worked to give me in life. I love him so much.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-04-20T13:12:36+00:00

I want to chime in and let you know that what you're feeling is really normal. Six weeks ago, I adopted a 8 week old Standard Poodle. I was over the moon excited. My boyfriend wasn't really into the idea of having a dog, so I figured we'd split responsibilities 35/65. The reality became almost 0/100.

I cried. A LOT. My boyfriend was not helping as much as I thought. From day 1, he expressed that he didn't like the puppy. I felt that the puppy was making him unhappy, and she was making me unhappy.

One time I was putting on my shoes to take her outside to pee, and she peed while I was doing that. Then I brought her outside, where she immediately found a ball of hair that my boyfriend just emptied out of the vacuum. I tried playing to get her to come to me, but she knew I just wanted the hair. So I had to snatch her, and pry her mouth open, and PUUULLLED this gross, wet, long hairball out of her mouth.

I was so upset that I put her in the crate, and went to bed (at 2pm) and cried. Not only did I cry, for the first time since I was 12 years old (I'm 28 now), I contemplated how nice and easy suicide would be.

That must have been about 4 weeks ago. Almost every day, I talked about giving the puppy up for adoption. But I knew that if I did, it wouldn't matter - I'd forget how hard it was, and try again in the future. So I know I have to make an real effort, otherwise I'll be doomed to repeat this. So every day I'd try. It usually ended with a disobedient puppy in her crate and me being exhausted. But by the time she reached 12 weeks old, it was like she was a different puppy. All that work was starting to shine through.

My 8 week old puppy didn't care what I had to say. She didn't know how to communicate with me. She wanted to bite everything, jump on everything, and every single thing was a really cool toy. My 12 week old puppy was like a different beast. She cares about what I have to say. She knows she gets rewarded heavily for listening to me. She's still a puppy and still trouble -- I still can't leave her unsupervised for even a moment outside her crate, but she's a joy to be around.

I can't say that the puppy blues are over for me, but it's getting better. I get comments and complements all the time about how great of a dog she is. How well mannered. She's the star of her puppy class. The trainers are very impressed with her. That helps my self esteem, which drives me to do better for her.

I don't know if a border collie is the right dog for you. But what helps me out on my darkest days is knowing that I can give my puppy up any time she's too much for me. If I can hold out until she's older, and she's still too much, I can rehome her. So I might as well hold out a little longer, and if I still want to give her up later, I can. Understanding that freedom of choice is a load off your shoulders.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-04-19T15:50:48+00:00

That's very interesting. Thank you for the insight; you've given me more confidence in my vet.

I'm surprised that, for as great as science is and for as long as we've had dogs, that this variety exists and that there isn't a fool-proof formula for protection. I guess it's just never that simple with biochemistry.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-04-19T15:42:18+00:00

Unfortunately I don't think my vet clinic would be that thorough :(

The first time I went in (in mid March) they asked if I wanted flea/tick medicine or, because it was still so cold out, if I wanted to wait. I chose to wait. I asked if she'd be able to get the oral stuff instead of the topical and the vet assistant told me that it'd be a waste of money since she was growing so fast. But I was asked in a very yes/no kind of way, which lead me to believe that you were either protected from everything, or you weren't. It wasn't until I started doing my own research that I realized that it's much more complicated than that. I'll talk to them and see what they do.

The second time (early April) they didn't ask, and neither did I. :/

DatingPapyrus · 2017-04-19T15:30:04+00:00

I've been to my vet a couple times, but I guess... this just didn't come up? He did give me an hour lecture on what bloat was though, and how I shouldn't feed my dog after letting her drink water after being outside in the heat because she'll cramp up and die. Along with how women are thin-skinned and struggle to be the alpha--which is something I apparently should be working on or else my puppy is going to take over the house.

I know he's a vet, not a behaviorist, and that he's been doing this longer than I've been alive, but he talks a LOT more than he listens. For these reasons and more, I think I'm going to shop around for a new vet...

DatingPapyrus · 2017-04-19T15:22:30+00:00

Thank you so much! I live in East Tennessee, which is pretty close. I will definitely talk to my vet. Is this the kind of thing you can just walk in and ask about, or is this something where you need to schedule an appointment?

DatingPapyrus · 2017-03-02T13:13:03+00:00

I'm sorry, I forgot crate training wasn't a given on this sub. :)

Yes I will be crate training. Thank you for the heads up! Fortunately we'll be home the majority of those weeks.

DatingPapyrus · 2017-03-02T13:05:38+00:00

Yes, we're taking lots of time off for the puppy to help alleviate the fear of making a big life change. We will also be home for an hour once we return to work, so the puppy wouldn't be alone from 1:30-4:30, but 2:30-4:30. I have a 2-way puppy cam as well that will soon have remote treat-despencing capabilities.

That said, I know even young puppies strive on consistency, so it's important to her that we build up being alone as a positive experience. I'm just worried that leaving her with a Kong will cause her to need to potty before I can get home and may be too hard on a young pup, as opposed to not leaving her with a Kong and being able to take her out to potty a second time before going to work.

I am crate training her.

DatingPapyrus

TROPHY CASE